John Schneider: ‘Very blessed that we have two quarterbacks like this’

INDIANAPOLIS — Matt Flynn might not be back with the Seahawks next season, but his contract won’t be the reason for his departure.

Flynn’s contract calls for him to make $5.25 million in base salary, prompting many to wonder whether Seattle would keep a backup quarterback at such a high price. Well, wonder no more as general manager John Schneider indicated that Flynn wouldn’t be moved to save against the salary cap.

“We have different models set up with our cap, and obviously, we have a model that includes Matt,” Schneider said. “Our primary model.”

Now, it would be a truly poor poker play for Schneider to say that Seattle intended to release Flynn if it didn’t find a trade partner, but in his interview at the scouting combine, Schneider sounded as if he would be very content if the Seahawks brought Flynn back next season.

“I feel very blessed that we have two quarterbacks like this,” Schneider said. “Two starting caliber guys. What happened last year didn’t really have a reflection on what Matt did or Tarvaris (Jackson) for that matter. It’s really what Russell did in terms of kind of stepping forward and taking charge. And the way he performed in the preseason, it was really hard to argue.”

So what now? Flynn would certainly like to get an opportunity to start. Whether he gets it will depend on whether Seattle hears an offer it’s interested in, and while Schneider is listening, it’s too soon to know if he’ll hear something he likes.

“It’s so early,” Schneider said. “Everybody’s been in their draft meetings and everything so it’s not like I’ve had a chance to sit down with other general managers or some of the people that I’m close with around the league, you talk about what their situation is and that sort of thing. As you guys well know, we’re always going to listen to everything, and we feel like we’re not doing our job but that doesn’t necessarily mean we will do something with Matt.”